8, 8, 6, 8, 8, 6 Fear not, O little flock, the Foe Who madly seeks your overthrow; Dread not his rage and power: What though your courage sometimes faints, His seeming triumph o’er God’s saints Lasts but a little hour. 2. Be of good cheer; your cause belongs To Him who can avenge your wrongs; Leave it to Him, our Lord. Though hidden yet from mortal eyes, His Gideon shall for you arise, Uphold you and His Word. 3. As true as God’s own Word is true, Not earth nor hell with all their crew Against us shall prevail. A jest and byword are they grown; God is with us, we are His own; Our victory cannot fail. 4. Amen, Lord Jesus, grant our prayer! Great Captain, now Thine arm make bare, Fight for us once again! So shall Thy saints and martyrs raise A mighty chorus to Thy praise, World without end. Amen. J. M. Altenburg, † 1640; C. Winkworth, tr., 1855, a. 277 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7 The mouth of fools doth God confess, But while their lips draw nigh Him, Their heart is full of wickedness, And all their deeds deny Him. Corrupt are they, and every one Abominable works hath done; There is not one well-doer. 2. The Lord looked from His heavenly throne On all mankind below Him To see if there were any one Who truly sought to know Him, And all his understanding bent To search His holy Word, intent To do His will in earnest. 3. But none there was who walked with God, For all aside had slidden, Delusive paths of folly trod, And followed lusts forbidden; Not one there was who practised good, Though many deemed, in haughty mood, Their deeds to God were pleasing. 4. “How long, by folly blindly led, Will they oppress the needy And My own flock devour like bread?” So fierce are they and greedy! In God they put no trust at all, Nor on His name in trouble call, But be their own providers. 5. Therefore their heart is never still, A constant fear dismays them, God is with him who doth His will, Who trusts Him and obeys Him; Ye shame the counsel of the poor And mock him when he doth assure That God is e’er his Refuge. 6. Who shall to Israel’s outcast race From Zion bring salvation? God will Himself at length show grace And loose the captive nation; That will He do by Christ, their King; Let Jacob then be glad and sing And Israel be joyful. Ps. 14. Martin Luther, 1524; R. Massie, tr. 278 8, 7, 8, 7, 8, 8, 7